In a significant development for U.S. elections, Dominion Voting Systems, a major provider of election equipment, has been acquired by Liberty Vote, a new company founded by Scott Leiendecker, a former Republican election official and founder of KNOWiNK, a provider of electronic pollbook technology. The acquisition, announced on October 9, 2025, aims to restore public trust in elections by prioritizing paper-based, secure, and auditable voting systems.
What Does This Mean for Alaska?
Alaska has utilized Dominion’s voting equipment in recent elections, including the 2024 general election. The state employs a paper-based ballot system, using optical scan, touch screen-paper ballots, and hand count methods elections.alaska.gov. Dominion’s equipment, such as the ImageCast Evolution and ImageCast X tabulators, have been integral to Alaska’s election process.
Dominion filed multiple defamation lawsuits against media companies and individuals for spreading false allegations that the company’s machines were used to rig the election.
• Significant settlements: The lawsuits resulted in historic settlements, including:
◦ $787.5 million from Fox News in 2023.
◦ $67 million from Newsmax in 2025.
◦ Confidential settlements with former Trump-affiliated lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell.
The acquisition by Liberty Vote could impact Alaska’s election processes in several ways:
- Transition to Hand-Marked Paper Ballots: Liberty Vote has pledged to prioritize hand-marked paper ballots, aligning with efforts to enhance transparency and security in elections. This shift may require adjustments in Alaska’s voting procedures and equipment.
- Impact on Election Equipment and Training: Alaska’s election officials may need to adapt to new equipment and procedures under Liberty Vote’s ownership. This transition could involve training for election staff, updates to voting infrastructure, and adjustments to election timelines.
- Public Perception and Trust: The rebranding of Dominion to Liberty Vote, led by a figure with Republican ties, may influence public perception of election integrity in Alaska. While some may view the change as a step toward restoring trust, others might see it as politically motivated, potentially impacting voter confidence.
Pros and Cons for Alaskan Voters
Pros:
- Enhanced Transparency: The emphasis on hand-marked paper ballots may increase transparency and provide a clearer audit trail, reassuring voters about the accuracy of election results.
- Increased Security: Paper-based systems are less susceptible to cyber threats, potentially reducing the risk of election interference.
- Alignment with Executive Orders: Liberty Vote’s alignment with former President Trump’s executive order on election policies may appeal to voters advocating for stricter election security measures AP News.
Cons:
- Potential Delays: Transitioning to new equipment and procedures could lead to delays in vote counting and result reporting, especially in large or remote areas of Alaska.
- Training and Adaptation Costs: Election officials and staff will require training on new systems, which could incur additional costs and time.
- Political Concerns: The involvement of a former Republican official in the acquisition may raise concerns among some voters about the impartiality of the election process.
Looking Ahead
As Alaska approaches the 2026 elections, the state’s election officials will need to assess the implications of Dominion’s acquisition by Liberty Vote. While the transition presents opportunities for increased transparency and security, it also poses challenges in terms of implementation and public perception. Alaska voters can expect updates from the Division of Elections as plans for the transition unfold.
For more information on Alaska’s election processes and updates, visit the Alaska Division of Elections website.
